Everton target £34m World Cup star Pape Gueye

Everton have expressed interest in signing Senegalese midfielder Pape Gueye from Villarreal this summer, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER. The reported £34m move would be a statement of intent as David Moyes continues his squad overhaul.

Who is Pape Gueye?

Gueye began his football journey with BMSF Youth before joining Le Havre's academy. He later moved to Marseille, where he made 35 Ligue 1 appearances. The 26-year-old then joined Villarreal in 2023, where he has become a regular. Gueye was part of Senegal's 2022 World Cup squad and has 12 international caps.

At Villarreal this season, Gueye has played primarily as a defensive midfielder, averaging 2.1 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per match (La Liga stats). His passing accuracy sits at 85%, with 4.2 long balls per game. These numbers suggest a player comfortable breaking up play and distributing quickly.

How Gueye fits Moyes' system

David Moyes has historically favoured a physical, organised midfield. Gueye's profile matches: he is 6'2", strong in duels, and disciplined positionally. At Everton, he would likely partner Amadou Onana or Idrissa Gueye (no relation) in a double pivot. This would allow James Garner or Abdoulaye Doucouré to push forward.

Everton have struggled to control games in midfield this season, ranking 16th for possession (43.2%) and 14th for passes into the final third. Gueye's ability to win the ball and play forward passes could improve those numbers. His arrival would also provide cover for the injury-prone André Gomes.

Transfer market context

The £34m fee would make Gueye Everton's second-most expensive signing behind Gylfi Sigurðsson (£45m). It represents a significant investment for a club that has operated under financial constraints. However, Everton have generated funds through player sales and expect further departures this summer.

  • Gueye's contract at Villarreal runs until 2027, so Villarreal are under no pressure to sell. Everton may need to offer a premium to secure the deal.
  • Comparable midfield signings in the Premier League include: Moisés Caicedo (£115m to Chelsea), Declan Rice (£105m to Arsenal), and Romeo Lavia (£58m to Chelsea). At £34m, Gueye would represent value if he performs.
  • Everton have previously signed players from La Liga with mixed success. Richarlison (£50m from Watford) and Yerry Mina (£27m from Barcelona) worked well, while Moise Kean (£27m from Juventus) struggled.

Fantasy Premier League impact

Gueye is likely to be a budget midfield option in FPL, priced around £5.0-5.5m. He offers limited attacking threat (2 goals, 3 assists in 60 career league appearances) but could earn points through clean sheets and recoveries. Everton's defensive record under Moyes has improved, with 4 clean sheets in the last 6 home games.

For FPL managers, Gueye's appeal is as an enabler—freeing funds for premium assets. However, he would not be a priority pick given his low goal involvement. Watch for his role in preseason to confirm if he is a regular starter.

Conclusion: What next for Everton?

Negotiations are at an early stage, according to reports. Everton must first agree personal terms and structure the fee. Villarreal are likely to demand a significant portion upfront, which Everton may need to raise through player sales. If completed, Gueye would be the first major signing of Moyes' rebuild, signalling intent to compete in the Premier League.

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